“Murals are a magnificent way to tell a story through art,” said Councillor Michelle Holland (Ward 35 Scarborough Southwest), Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee. “As we continue our efforts to protect and preserve pollinators in Toronto, and to beautify our streets with art, this mural will continue to remind us of the important role that pollinators play.”

Mayor John Tory has proclaimed June 20 to 26 as Pollinator Week in Toronto.

Created by street artist Nick Sweetman, the colourful mural has transformed a large brick wall in Toronto at the corner of Bloor Street West and Howland Avenue into a work of art, thanks to a partnership between the City’s StreetARToronto program, Live Green Toronto, and Burt’s Bees Canada, which commissioned the work.
Toronto has more than 300 species of bees and hundreds more non-bee pollinator species, making it home to one of the most diverse pollinator populations in Canada. Toronto is actively engaged in programs and initiatives that support pollinator biodiversity and in April 2016 became the first Bee City in Canada.

“We hope this mural will serve as a long-lasting reminder of the important role that not just Green Sweat Bees featured in the mural, but all bees, play in our lives,” said Carolyn Hungate, marketing manager at Burt’s Bees Canada. “We are proud to be a part of this day, and to be able to call this beautiful bee-friendly city home.”